Features

The rock world is in short supply of gold plaques. Album sales continue to bleed obsolescence, and moving 500,000 copies is just downright unrealistic for most musicians today. In a scene where selling 100,000 records alone is enough to earn a band some serious label love, Gold certification for a band today is a monumental (and extremely rare) achievement. Here are 20 records from some of our favorites who actually defied the odds and broke out to a Gold level of commercial success.

1. Brand New - Deja Entendu (Triple Crown; 2003)Deja Entendu was released through indie label, Triple Crown Records. Interestingly, after the band upgraded to a major label (Interscope)—with regular spins on rock radio—they were never able to match the commercial success of this album.

2. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Don’t You Fake It (Virgin; 2006)The band’s Top 40 single “Face Down” is largely to thank for the success of their major label debut.

3. Underoath - They’re Only Chasing Safety (Tooth & Nail; 2004)It took seven years for this Underoath record to sell 500,000 copies.

6. Story Of The Year - Page Avenue (Maverick; 2003)Two hit radio singles—“Until The Day I Die” and “Anthem Of Our Dying Day”—and video rotation on MTV helped make Page Avenue the band’s only Gold record.